An unused ward at Goodmayes Hospital is being opened to accommodate mental health patients from a ward in Chingford that has been “temporarily shut down” after care concerns.
People are being transferred from Naseberry Court, in Merriam Close, to Sunflowers Court by North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT).
Executive medical director Dr Steve Feast said the Goodmayes ward has better access to psychiatric care and lower numbers of absconding patients.
He added: “Extra staff will be deployed in our home treatment team services during the move to ensure that, wherever possible, people are cared for in their own homes to avoid hospital admission.”
But campaigner Michael Inns, who is treated at Naseberry Court, was worried that the move could “create more problems”.
A NELFT spokesman said the ward being opened for male patients was previously unused and capacity is being increased on a female ward.
She added “Staff will be transferred from Naseberry Court to ensure continuity and ongoing patient care.”
Patients will be transferred over the next two months and will stay in Goodmayes until a consultation into the “future configuration” of acute mental health services Waltham Forest is complete.
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